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still watching her with that same bewildered, glowering look.
    "Your Highness, are you hurt?" Malek asked quietly.
    Vasilis didn't reply as he kept his gaze fastened on Alex.
    "Your Highness?" Malek asked cautiously.
    "What?" Vasilis growled, looking at him. "I'm fine." He gave his men a hooded look. "Back to your posts, men." Giving one last, dark look at Alexandra, he strode away.
    Ariel ran to Alex and raised her little arms. Automatically, Alex picked her up and held her close. "Did you hurt the prince?" whispered Ariel.
    "No."
    "But he looked hurt."
    "Hush." Alex looked at Malek and found him watching her with almost the same intensity as Vasilis. The only difference was the satisfied gleam in his eyes. "Malek, I will retire as well. Goodnight, men," she added, glancing at the four warriors who were regarding her with respect. They all nodded.
    * * * *
    Malek watched her walk away. "Are you men thinking what I'm thinking?"
    "Aye. Methinks this lassie should enter King Drago's contest," Ortega said gruffly.
    "Yes," Malek offered slowly. "Exactly as I thought."
    "So who is going to tell him?" Falk asked carefully.
    "Tell him what?" Nolan asked.
    Ortega shot him a pointed look. "That his one, true mate stands right before us. You know the legend, men. For every Lycan, there is one mate." He returned his gaze to Alex's retreating form. "So who will tell him?"
    Malek kept his gaze narrowed on Alex carrying her little sister. She was perfect for Vasilis and he couldn't be more satisfied. It appeared Amazons did exist, he thought dryly and this Amazon was the first person ever to bring the prince at a loss for words.
    "And risk getting my head chewed off," he said. "Forget it. This is one battle the prince will have to face alone…and victory will be sweet."
    He heard the collective aye from the men as they all watched Alex carry Ariel into her tent.
    * * * *
    The tent was small, but comfortable as Alex tucked her little sister in her cot and kissed her goodnight on the forehead.
    Alex drew back sharply. Her sister was warmer than usual. "Are you feeling all right, honey? No pain or aches anywhere?"
    Ariel shook her head. "Just tired."
    Alex kissed her again, but this time she kept her mouth on Ariel's forehead a few seconds longer to see if she had mistaken the warmth. No, she hadn't.
    She worried her lip, wondering where Hesta was. Quickly, she went to the basin and wet a small piece of cloth. She rung it out and went back to Ariel. "Here, baby. Keep this on your forehead until Hesta returns. She'll have something in her bag to help you."
    Ariel nodded sleepily, closing her eyes. "I'm okay. I just want to sleep now."
    Alex's heart was heavy. "I love you and it's normal for me to worry about you. You're all I have left."
    "G'night, Alex. Sleep well, don't let…the bug bites…get you."
    "It's don't let the bed bugs get you," Alex said softly, knowing she would never get Ariel to say it correctly. "Angels around you."
    Her heart swelled with love as she watched Ariel sleep, her little face serene and sweet and a fierce tug of maternal drive pulled her heartstrings. Alex wondered if this was what it was like to have your own children, this powerful need to protect and love. Sadness overwhelmed her as she pictured her future without children. How could she have children if she vowed she would never love?
    It was no use contemplating what could never be, she told herself. She had Ariel and hopefully Ariel would marry and have children. If she couldn't be a mother, at least she could be a loving aunt. Alex smiled, thinking about her future nieces and nephews, all dark haired with dark eyes and soft, creamy skin. She pictured herself holding a little boy whose little brow would knot into a mutinous frown when things didn't go his way--Alex stopped her train of thought. She pictured a little boy who resembled Vasilis.
    Ridiculous! She pushed him out of her mind and went to her cot. She was tired and needed a good night's sleep. She